Combination arm band and rifle sling



Sept. 13, 1949. M. K. SHORT 2,481,884

comenmxon ARM BAND AND RIFLE suns Filed Sept. e, 1946 2 sheet -sheet 1 Sept. 13, 1949. M. K. SHORT commmrou ARM BAND AND RIFLE sum 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 6, 1946 INVENTOR. MM Lair M+M,

Patented Sept. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION ARM BAND AND RIFLE SLING Melville K. Short, New York, N. Y.

Application September 6, 1946, Serial No. 695,196

9 Glaims. (Cl. 224-4) The invention herein described may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America solely for governmental purposes without payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a combination of a self-tightening arm band and a sling for rifles and in particular to a combination self-tightening arm band and rifle sling which may be put on by the rifleman in the full loop adjustment in less than three seconds while he is lying prone, sitting, or kneeling, or while crouching behind cover. This combination arm band and rifle sling is constructed and arranged so that the rifleman may attach it in the loop sling adjustment without raising the left elbow from the ground when in the prone firing position, or from the knee when in the sitting or the kneeling position. The combination arm band and rifle sling is also constructed and arranged so that the rifleman may disengage the full loop sling from the left arm virtually instantaneously without moving either hand from its normal position grasping the stock, without exposing himself from behind cover, and without looking away from the enemy or target.

A rifle sling intended for use by the members of the armed forces of the United States of America must be capable of the following adjustments:

A. For drill, parade and guard duty, parade sling. In this adjustment the rifle sling is drawn taut between the lower band sling swivel and the butt swivel. The sling is under tension so as to provide a cushioning effect for the shoulder when the rifle is carried at either right or left shoulder arms. Furthermore, the rifleman may perform the movements of the manual of arms without hindrance from the sling.

B. For supporting the piece at carry arms, a loose or slack sling. The rifle is carried suspended from the sling which is passed over the shoulder of the rifleman. The rifle may be hung vertically, or the sling may be passed over the riflemans head and placed on the far shoulder, so that the rifle hangs diagonally across his back.

C. As an aid to steady holding when firing the rifle in the prone, sitting, or kneeling position, the loop sling adjustment. A rifle sling used to perform this function consists of two parts; the loop, which is adjustable in length and extends from the lower band sling swivel to a point approximately beneath the comb of the stock, and the tailpiece, which joins the lower end of the loop, and passes through the butt swivel, and is hooked onto the main loop part of the sling. By means of this tailpiece, the length of the sling is altered. When used as an aid to steady holding, the loop of the sling is given a half turn counterclockwise (looking from the butt end of the rifle), and the rifieman then passes his left arm through the lower end of the loop, moving the loop up the arm until it is just below the armpit. A keeper is then slid along the upper section of the loop against the front side of the left arm, in which position it retains the loop and prevents it from sliding down the arm. The rifleman passes his left hand over the sling from the left side thereof, and grasps the forestock of the rifle just behind the lower band. When the butt of the piece is brought into position against the right shoulder and the left elbow placed upon a support, the loop of the sling is drawn tight in such a manner as to hold the rifie in position. With the elbows resting on the ground or on the knees, the use of the sling permits the rifle to be propped into position with little or no muscular effort. A

well-adjusted, tight, loop sling helps to take up the recoil by transferring part of it to the left hand and arm, and steadies the rifle by binding the left hand and arm into a solid bone brace, while keeping the rifle butt firm against the shoulder. The distance at which a rifleman is able to make sure hits is enormously increased by the use of the sling as an aid to steady holding.

D. As an aid to steady holding when there is insufficient time to adjust the sling in the full loop position; the hasty sling. Instead of passing the left arm through the loop, the entire loose sling is passed around the left arm and the aiming position assumed. The extra steadiness gained in this manner is but little better than firing without the use of the sling.

In the slings heretofore used to perform the required functions, it is necessary for the rifleman to pass his left arm entirely through the loop of the sling and to push the retaining keeper into place before assuming the firing position. These movements take considerable time and they are extremely difficult to perform while lying down. Consequently, the rifieman must either run and creep or crawl about, over the rugged terrain of the battlefield, tied up in his sling, which is obviously impractical, or expose himself to enemy fire while putting on his sling, which is obviously dangerous. Furthermore, targets of opportunity usually disappear before it is possible to put on a sling, aim and fire. Also, riflemen dislike being tied up in the loop sling when near the enemy for fear of being surprised and rushed with the bayonet.

As a result of these defects in the design of the present service sling, and after millions of men have been rigorously trained for many hours in the use of the loop sling at great expenses to the government, it is found that when actually in combat, riflemen hardly ever use their slings as an aid to steady holding, even when firing on distant targets.

The prime object of this invention is to provide a sling for a rifle which will perform all the required functions and may be attached or disengaged by the rifleman with such speed that its use is practical in actual combat.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will be clearly apparent from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a military rifle with the sling adjusted to the position of parade sling;

"Fig.2 is'a side elevation of this sling loosened for use as a carrying device, or as an aid to steady holding; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a modified sling consisting of a simple'carrying strap and embodying the basic principle of this invention; 7 Fig. 4 is a plan view of the arm band worn by the rifieman on the left upper arm;

1 Fig. 5 is aside elevation of the arm band worn bythe rifieman on the left upper arm; Fig. 6 is a partial, detailed, elevation showing the novel hook by means Of which the sling is attached to the arm band;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken of this hook on line a a of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partial, detailed elevation showing a modified hook to be used with the modified sling shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the modified hook of Fig. 8; ,Fig. 10 is a partial, detailed side elevation showing the manner in which a metal loop on the arm band of Fig. 5 is caused to remain permanently upright so that the hook on the sling may be quickly and easily engaged with it; n

. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the arm band tightens around the left upper arm as the rifle is moved forward so that the butt may be placed against the right shoulder of a rifieman in the prone position;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showingthe combination self-tightening arm band and rifle sling in use as a loop sling as an aid to steady holding in the prone position; and

scribed in detail since it forms no part of this invention. The rifle I is equipped with a lower band sling swivel 2 and with a buttstock swivel 3. Attached to these swivels is a sling of leather or the like having a forward loop 4 threaded through the lower band sling swivel 2, and a tail piece Sthreaded through the butt swivel 3. The claw of the tail piece 5 is hooked into holes in the forward loop 4 and the entire sling drawn taut in the position of parade sling. In this position, that part of the sling which lies immediately beneath the balance of the rifle is free of all metal parts so that the rifieman may grasp his piece comfortably at port arms.

In Fig. 2, the sling is shown with the claw of the 4 tailpiece 5 disengaged from the forward loop 4 and engaged with the other branch of the tail piece. In this condition, the sling is loosened enough for it to be used to carry the rifle or as an 5 aid to steady holding. Since the length of the forward loop 4 can be conventionally varied by inserting its claw in spaced pairs of holes,it follows that the distance from the hook I to the lower band sling swivel 2 is variable within limits.

Fig. 3 shows a sling consisting of a single continuous strap of leather or webbing which may be used to carry the rifle or as an aid to steady holding. In this modification, the hook la is so designed that it may be clamped in a selected 5 position along the strap 4a. Thus by sliding the hook la along the strap 4a and tightening its clamp, the distance from the hook la to the lower band sling swivel 2 is variable. The clamp of the hook la. may be of familiar pivoted cam and lever construction, or any other well-known means may be employed for varying the effective length of the strap 4a between the lower band swivel 2 and the hook la.

Fig. 4 is a plan of the arm band which is worn by the rifieman on the left upper arm above the biceps muscle. The arm band consists of two parts: a back piece 8 which passes about two thirds of the way around the arm, and a front section 9 which consists of a continuous piece threaded through two metal loops l0, I0 which are attached to the ends of the back piece 8. A third metal loop II is attached to the forward or front section 9 in such a fashion that it always stands upright andaway from the web strap of the front section 9, so that the hook I, which is immediately adjacent the sling connecting loop 6, may at any timebe slipped quickly and easily into said band loop II. The arm band is preferably attached to they riflemans sleeve at two diametri- Q5) cally spaced points l2, I2. These points l2, l2

are ones which have no relative motion with respect to the arm when the band is drawn tight. By means of,a buckle 13 forming a loop having a sliding connection for one end of the back piece 5 web ,8, the circumference of the entire band is adjustable, Fig. 5 shows the unattached arm band in eleyation. The band illustrated is of the same width as the strap of the rifle sling. This neednot be the case however, and a wider band is slightly more comfortable to use. Whatever the width of the band, the metal loop II should be of the correct size to fit easily on the hook 1 or la. The metal loops [0, l0 and the buckle l3 necessarily are of a size to fit the width and thickness of band chosen. The rifieman will adjust the buckle I3until theentire band may be worn in the correct position on his left arm with complete comfort and without the slightest tightness. The band is prevented from sliding down the arm by conventional snap fasteners (or other fastening means) at the points l2 which are attached to appropriate complemental fasteners on the left "sleeve. Thus the rifieman may wear the arm band and perform all his customary labors and duties without discomfort or inconvenience. I Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the hook 'l' of the previous figures. A metal loop 6 is permanently attached to the tail piece 5. The for- 70., ward loop 4,. of the slingis loosely threaded through the metal loop 6 when the sling is assembled. The. fiat hook 'l'is given a blunt, acute, point so; that it may be engaged quickly and easily with the metal loop ll of the arm band. The hook Tis'permanently attached to the tail piece 5 by means such as spaced rivets, two of which are as close to the bend It of the hook as practical.

Fig. '7 is a vertical section of the hook I and adjacent sling straps or webs taken along line a-a of Fig. 6. It will be noted that the hook I is securely fastened to the tail piece 5 of the sling at a rivet point as close as practical to the bend of the hook I. This is necessary so that when the rifleman grasps the tail piece 5 with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand at a point just behind the bend of the hook I, he will have the hook I under firm control as he engages it with the loop II. It is further necessary that the hook I be attached to the tail piece 5 in the manner described so that whenever the forward loop 4 of the sling between the lower band sling swivel land the hook I is not under tension,

the hook I may be drawn out of engagement with the metal loop II by pulling on the tail piece 5.

It is further advantageous, although not necessary,that the hook I should be so constructed thatat one point I5 the opening or throat is slightly narrower than the thickness of the rim portion of the metal loop I I which it is designed to accommodate. As the rifle I is pushed forward, the tension on the forward loop 4 of the sling will cause the loop II to easily force the two branches of the hook apart the small distance needed for the loop II to pass the obstruction I5 and slide down to the bend of the hook I. To this end it is desirable that the hook I should be constructed of spring steel, or other appropriate metal. Likewise, when the rifleman wishes to disengage his sling from the arm band, a tension of only a few pounds on the tail piece 5 will pull the hook I out of engagement with the metal loop II. On the other hand, the slight obstruction to the passage of the metal loop II offered by the narrow point I5 of the flat strip hook I will prevent the hook i from becoming disengaged from the metal loop II unintentionally. The point E5 of the hook I is bent slightly away from the shaft of the hook I so that the rifleman may engage the hook I with'the metal loop II as quickly and easily as possible. The same rivets which secure the hook I to the tail piece 5 may be used to join the two branches of the tail piece 5 together, thus these rivets perform the double function of securing the metal loop 6 and the hook I.

Fig. 8 illustrates a hook Ia designed for use with a sling consisting of a single strap such as that illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the hook Ia shown in Fig. 8. All of the useful features of the hook I illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7 occur in this hook. In addition, this modified hook Ia is designed to slide along the single sling strap and to be clamped firmly in any selected position. In this manner, the individual rifleman may adjust the length of the forward part As of the sling strap between the lower band sling swivel 2 and the hook ia so that the combination arm band and rifle sling will fit him perfectly.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the metal loop I I showing one way of causing the loop I I to remain upright so that the hook I or Ia may always be quickly and easily engaged with it. A metal wedge I! of triangular shape and grooved at its apex to receive the inner portion of loop I I is provided with several holes (not shown) on either side of the loop II, by means of which threads may be passed completely through both thicknesses of the web strap 9 and through the metal wedge II, thus sewing the wedge II firmly in place.

Obviously, there are many mechanical devices which may be employed for this purpose within the broadlystated principles of this invention.

Fig. 11 shows a rifleman about to use the combined arm band and sling as an aid to steady holding. Having grasped the forestock of the rifle I with the left hand in the customary position immediately behind the lower band sling iswivel 2, the rifleman takes hold of the tail piece 5 of the sling with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand at a point just behind the hook I, and, passing the sling under the rifle I, he threads the point IB of the hook I from his right to left'into the metal loop I I. The rifleman then pushes the entire rifle I forward so that'he may place the butt plate against his right shoulder. This forward motion of the rifle I carries with it the lower band sling swivel 2 and the attached sling, thus exerting a'pull through the hook I and the metal loop I I on the front section 9 of the arm band. The tension thus'exerted causes the two outer branches of the front section Il of the arm band to slide through the metal loops I0, thus decreasing thelength of that section of the front part 9 of the arm band which lies against the arm and drawing the entire arm band 89 around the arm. The greater the tension placed upon the loop II by the forward pull of the rifle I exerted through the hook I, the more tightly the band is drawn around the arm, and as a consequence the tendency of the band to slip down the arm becomes less.

In Fig. 12 a rifleman is shown using the combination arm band and rifle sling as an aid to steady holding in the prone position. It will appear from the drawing that the device gives exactly the same support to the rifle as the present service sling used in the loop adjustment. It will also now be understood that the device can be placed in use in a fraction of the time needed to adjust the present service sling. Moreover, the rifleman may engage the hook I with the loop II after lying prone, sitting, or kneeling, that is, he can quickly attach his sling after taking cover from enemy observation or fire.

When the rifleman wishes to disengage his sling, he removes the butt plate of the rifle I from his shoulder and draws the entire weapon rearward. As a result of this motion of the rifle I the forward section 4 of the sling slacks off and the tail piece 5 of the sling is drawn taut pulling the hook I out of engagement with the metal p II. As soon as the pull on the metal loop I I ceases, the arm band 8 slacks off to its former comfortable loose fit. As soon as the hook I is drawn clear of the metal loop II, the sling falls free.

As an alternate method of disengaging the sling from the arm band, the rifleman removes the butt plate of the rifle I from his shoulder and. grasping the tail piece 5 of the sling with his right hand gives it a smart pull towards his right rear. As a result, the'hook I will be drawn out of engagement with the loop II.

It has been demonstrated that the time needed to disengage the sling from the arm band by either of these methods is extremely short, and it will be obvious that the rifleman need not rise or expose himself from behind cover either to attach or disengage the sling.

Since the length of the forward section 4 of the sling between the lower band sling swivel 2 and the hook I can be varied, it follows that the device may be adjusted to fit comfortably, men having different lengths of arm.

Fig. 13 shows the arm band as worn on the left arm above. the biceps muscle, when not in use. The band is prevented from slipping down the arm by the two points of attachment 12 to the sleeve. The rifleman adjusts the circumference of the band by means of the buckle [3 to a comfortable loose fit which will permit him to wear the band at all times without discomfort or inconvenience. Thus he will always be able to use his sling as an aid to steady holding in an emergency.

Although it is considered less advantageous, the hook fastening 1 and the complemental loop fastening II can be transposed with respect to the sling and the extendible portion 9 of the arm band, so long as the fastenings are secured in proper operative relation.

If desired, this self-tightening arm band can be built into the sleeve of the riflemans coat or other garment.

It will be understood that this invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination thereof present in, or possessed by the device herein disclosed, forms a part of the invention included in the application.

What is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent is:

1. The combination comprising a sling strap for a rifle having a forestock swivel and a buttstock swivel, a hook secured to the rifle side of the sling strap against relative movement intermediate the length of said sling strap and with its opening toward the forestock end, an arm band adapted to be secured around the upper arm of a rifieman, and a rigid loop formed complemental to and engaging the hook, said rigid 100p being secured transversely of the outer side of said arm band, the portion of the arm band to which the loop is secured being extendible away from the arm engaging portion thereof as the arm band is tightened on the arm.

2. The combination comprising a sling strap for a rifle having a forestock swivel and a buttstock swivel, a hook secured to the rifle side of the sling strap against relative movement intermediceps muscle, said arm band including a back piece having a rigid loop at each end, a continuous front section extending through the loops of the back piece, and a rigid loop formed complemental to and engaging the hook, said last-mentioned rigid loop being fixedly secured to the outside of the front section transversely of the arm band.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which'the rigid loop is fixedly secured to the arm band by being anchored in a wedge sewed between two thicknesses of arm band material.

4. The combination of claim. 1 in which the arm band is provided with fastening means for attaching it to complemental fastening means on the sleeve of the rifleman.

5. The combination comprising a sling for a rifle having a forestock swivel and a buttstock swivel, said sling strap comprising a forward loop strap for passing through the forestock swivel,

a tail piece strap for passing through the butt stock swivel, a rigid loop joining the tail piece strap to the forward loop strap, and a flat hook secured to the rifle side of the tail piece strap adjacent the rigid joining loop and opening toward the forward loop strap; and a self-tightening arm band adapted to be secured around the upper arm of a rifleman above the biceps muscle, said arm band including a back piece having a rigid loop at each end, a continuous front section extending through the loops of the back piece, and a rigid loop formed complemental to and engaging the hook, said last-mentioned rigid loop being fixedly secured to the outside of the front section transversely of the arm band.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which the back piece of the arm band is provided with adjusting means for varying the length thereof.

7. The combination comprising a sling strap for a rifle having a forestock swivel and a buttstock swivel, the opposite ends of said strap being adapted to be respectively secured to said swivels, a slidable member having a flat hook disposed on the rifle side of the sling strap and including means for clamping it to the sling strap at any selected point, said hook having its opening toward the forestock end of the sling strap; and a self-tightening arm band adapted to be secured around the upper arm of a rifleman above the biceps muscle, said arm band including a back piece having a rigid loop at each end, a continuous front section extending through the loops of the back piece, and a rigid loop formed complemental to and engaging the hook, said lastmentioned rigid loop being fixedly secured to the outside of the front section transversely of the arm band.

8. The combination comprising a sling strap for a rifle having a forestock swivel and a buttstock swivel, an arm band adapted to be secured around the upper arm of a rifleman, a hook fastening element, and a rigid loop fastening element formed complemental to and engaging the hook fastening element, one of said fastening elements being fixedly secured to the rifle side of the sling strap and the other fastening element being secured in operative relation thereto transversely of the arm band, the portion of the arm band to which one of the fastening elements is secured being extendible away from the arm engaging portion thereof as the arm band is tightened on the arm.

9. The subcombination comprising a sling for a rifle having a forestock swivel and a buttstock swivel, said sling strap comprising, a forward loop strap with length adjusting means for passing through the forestock swivel, a tail piece strap for passing through the buttstock swivel, a rigid loop loosely joinin the tail piece strap to the forward loop strap, and a flat hook fixedly secured to the rifle side of the tail piece strap immediately adjacent the rigid loop and opening toward the forward loop strap.

MELVILLE K. SHOR'I.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Smith Sept. 5', 1944 Number 

